Amur-I class repair ship PM-138 heading to Syria. She and her sister PM-56 rotate in every 6 months their deployment to Tartus, Syria. Photo: Yörük Işık.

Tsezar Kunikov heading to Syria. Photo: Yörük Işık.

This is a double issue. The last two weeks was interesting for a ship spotter.

First we have witnessed the semi yearly rotation of Amur class floating workships PM-138 and PM-56. One of them is stationed in Syria for 6 months. PM-138 made her southbound deployment and the relived PM-56 made her northbound passage a couple of days later.

Second we have seen the newly renumbered Kashin class destroyer Smetlivy passing through Istanbul. Her old pennant number 810 was replaced as 870.

The most noteworthy sighting was without any doubt the passages of two Ukrainian warships. On 7th March 2015 frigate Hetman Sagaidachny and degaussing ship Balta made their southbound passage through Istanbul. This was the first passage of Ukrainian warships since the annexation of Crimea. The ships sailed to the Gölcük Naval Base, the main base of Turkish Navy. There some training activities were conducted. Both ships arrived in Istanbul on 10th March for a half day port visit. During this time Ukrainian President visited the ships.
The list of the foreign warships passed through Istanbul Strait is here.